Thursday, July 06, 2006

Thursday Thirteen

1. When the camp rangers warn you that you'll be sharing the campground with a bunch of folks attending the Bob Weir/String Cheese Incident concert, you should heed their warning and camp elsewhere.

2. Because, no matter how many Rainbow Gatherings, you've been to, or even if you've lived in a veggie co-op house and done the communal thing, these are not the kind of "hippies" you're used to, regardless of how they're dressed.

3. I don't know if it's because they were younger and don't know how to act or if this was just a non-standard group, but these were some of the most aggressive, selfish, angry "hippies" I've ever seen.

4. Not all of them, some were mellow and friendly and more what I'm used to. Definitely stoned to the point of complete loopiness, but harmless and comfortable.

5. Others were loud and belligerent, and raiding other people's campsites looking for things to steal. Foul-mouthed (and for me to even notice with my sailor propensities is BAD) and disrespectful towards people and nature alike, they even trashed the campground.

6. One woman was screaming obscenities at my family at dawn in our tent because we didn't have any cigarettes for her to take. In Boulder, we used to call these kids the "Trustifarians" ie trust fund babies who dress the part but you can see their entitlement issues coming for miles.

7. So, like I said, don't camp with the poser hippies. But, if you do, keep your eyes open for people watching opportunities, that was interesting.

8. And, I have to say, that the drum circle was pretty cool.

9. Moving on... I learned that even a big fat girl like me can be bodily picked up by the wind while trying to keep a tent from blowing away. This was our second shade tent, the first one was completely destroyed by the wind the day before so I was really determined to keep this one together. We did get it taken down, and luckily our sleeping tent was of different construction and weathered it just fine.

10. Not everyone else's did, though. I also learned that if you buy a dome tent, stake it down well because they roll like beachballs in the wind. Also, if your dome tent is over 4-5' tall, be sure that you have strong shock poles because they don't do well in the crazy wind, either.

11. If your shock poles do break, duct tape and a butter knife are only a temporary solution, as our troop leader can attest to. The next big gust actually bent her cutlery!

12. No matter how well you pack, you will forget something. This time I forgot Tiernan's nighttime pullups. Yikes!

13. In a pinch, two bandanas and a Target bag can be fashioned into a reasonable facsimilie of a diaper, and it will keep the sleeping bags dry. The big problem is convincing the child that his parents have not lost their minds, and that this is a desireable substitute. So, if you're ever in this situation, say this over and over until it has the right mix of authority and enthusiasm, "Look Tiernan, it's a CAMPING pullup!"

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

You kept your sense of humor in it all and that is a good thing. I will strive to remember the pull up substitute if I ever get stuck in the wild without pullups!! Wonderful list!My T13 is up. I hope you are having a terrific Thursday!

You reminded me of why I don't camp...well, at least not in a tent outside or anything. Rving it? Cool...I am there. :)Like Denise, it's taking all I have to not roll on the floor with laughter on the last one! LOL!

Sounds like quite an adventure you had there! I have issues with those poser hippies. If you aren't old enough to remember what the original hippies did (or if you were raised by original hippies) you are probably NOT a hippie!

Did you come here looking for JEN?

Like most every girl baby born in the 70s, my name is Jennifer. I'm a total sci-fi geek, homeschooling mother of four (two singletons and twins), who's been married to Davin for 15 years now.

I don't know how Jesus puts up with me, but He does, and I'm grateful. I just keep trying to do the whole "as I have loved you, that you also love one another" thing even though I really suck at it sometimes. But, wow, wouldn't everything be so much better if we all lived this?

This blog is mostly just stuff that is funny or interesting to me, sometimes it's even about my kids...but not usually. ;-)